Jo Bertram is on a quest to find the next big tech unicorn.
After leaving her role as Uber’s UK boss, she’s leveraging her expertise to support tech start-ups.
Jo Bertram, the driving force behind Uber’s expansion in the UK, departed the company in October 2017. Her exit occurred during a tumultuous period when Transport for London decided against renewing Uber’s operating licence. While the timing was coincidental, Bertram expressed her desire to venture into new opportunities, signalling an end to her transformative journey at Uber.
Under Bertram’s leadership, Uber’s presence in the UK ballooned from a modest start with only three London-based team members. Her strategic vision led to a network of 5 million users and 50,000 drivers across 40 cities. This immense growth underlines her capabilities in scaling an operation from its infancy to a thriving, sustainable enterprise.
Post-Uber, Bertram transitioned to EQT Ventures as an executive in residence. In this role, she is instrumental in guiding burgeoning tech start-ups. Her focus lies on advising these firms on scaling operations, talent acquisition, and strategic market expansion. Bertram emphasizes on providing foundational expertise essential for growth trajectories.
EQT Ventures employ an AI platform named Motherbrain to scout for promising tech start-ups in Europe. Motherbrain analyses data from over 20 sources using about 50 metrics. Its aim is to identify potential ‘diamonds in the rough’ long before others. AI provides the data-driven insight, yet Bertram insists it cannot replace intuitive human decision-making in investment.
Despite the prowess of AI, Bertram maintains that human judgement is irreplaceable in venture capitalism. While AI assists in pinpointing companies with growth potential, the human element evaluates the company’s business model and the people behind it. This synergy between technology and human insight ensures a well-rounded approach to identifying investment opportunities.
With the tech landscape’s rapid evolution, investment strategies are shifting towards integrating advanced technologies like AI. Bertram’s insights suggest that while technology fuels advancement, the pivotal human role in decision-making is paramount. This approach adapts to the ever-changing market dynamics, promising a forward-thinking investment paradigm.
Jo Bertram is at the forefront of marrying technology with human insight.
Her journey showcases the potential for strategic growth in the tech sector.